Today in Star Trek history: Kirstie Alley is born

Kirstie Alley as Lieutenant Saavik in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

In 1982, a new Star Trek movie was released. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was a fun, exciting, thrill ride that climaxed with a fan favorite character’s death. It also introduced the world to a new face in the acting world, Kirstie Alley. It’s her birthday we’re celebrating today, January 12, 2022.

The year was 1951, the place Wichita, Kansas. Kirstie Louise Alley was born to the owner of a lumber company, Robert Alley, and his wife, Lillian. After graduating high school, Kirstie went on to attend Kansas State University, but dropped out after two years. She left Kansas for Los Angeles to join the relatively young religion of Scientology and pursue work as an interior designer.

In 1979 she won a total of $6,000 as a contestant on the game show Match Game and a year later appeared on another game show, Password Plus. The following year Lillian was killed by a drunk driver in an automobile accident that left Robert seriously injured.

Alley’s debut in Star Trek II as the Vulcan Lieutenant Saavik was much lauded by fans and critics alike, garnering her a Saturn Award nomination. Saavik, it seems, was a welcome addition to the franchise. Though never explicitly stated on screen, she was actually intended to be half Vulcan and half Romulan and she is very nearly the first character we see on screen in the film.

Alley modeled her portrayal of Saavik after her idol, Vivien Leigh, attempting to imbue the character with Leigh’s glamour. This inspired the famous turbolift scene wherein she wears her hair down, sporting a Vulcan tunic.

When it came time to make Star Trek III: The Search For Spock, the role was recast, with Robin Curtis taking it over the. There are a number of rumors explaining the change. Kirstie Alley has said that William Shatner disliked her, but she has also stated that she turned down the chance to reprise the role because she was offered less money the second time around.

Whatever the case, her departure from the franchise doesn’t seem to have hurt her career. After appearing in a number of films and the miniseries North and South (with her second husband, Parker Stevenson, and future Number One, Jonathan Frakes) she landed the role of Rebecca Howe, replacing Shelley Long after she departed the sitcom Cheers in 1987. Alley would stay on the show until its cancellation in 1993. (For you trivia buffs, Alley was the only living Cheers cast member who never appeared on the spinoff Frasier.)

Alley’s work on Cheers was thrice nominated for an Emmy Award. She won the third time, and then won a second Emmy for the television film David’s Mother in 1994.

She continued appearing in films and then, for 1997 to 2000, starred in and served as the Executive Producer for the sitcom Veronica’s Closet. She has also been a spokesperson for Pier One and Jenny Craig and a contestant on Dancing With the Stars.

Please join us here at Daily Star Trek News in wishing Kirstie Alley a happy 70th birthday!